Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) has initiated the second phase of its vinyl seat retrofit program, commencing with the piloting of one light rail vehicle and one Dallas Streetcar vehicle. These retrofitted vehicles are set to enter regular service starting Monday, January 22.
To enhance cleanliness and comfort for passengers, DART replaced nearly 34,000 fabric seat cushions and backs on its bus fleet with vinyl-covered seats in the previous year. The upcoming phase will involve replacing over 16,000 light rail vehicle seats across 163 vehicles in the DART fleet, with the process beginning in March 2024.
Bernard Jackson, DART Senior Executive Vice President, and Chief Operations Officer expressed excitement about the second phase, stating, "We look forward to providing additional upgrades in the future that focus on rider comfort."
The introduction of vinyl seats aligns with DART's commitment to delivering a safe and clean transit experience for customers. This commitment extends to the DART Clean Team Initiative, employing on-board contract cleaning personnel to ensure cleanliness on DART light rail vehicles throughout the network.
Passengers are encouraged to participate in a survey accessible via QR code on each pilot vehicle. The survey seeks feedback on the new vinyl seating and invites comments on potential future upgrades that riders would like to see. DART aims to maintain its customer-focused approach and address passenger preferences for a more enjoyable transit experience.
